How do substitutions work in rink hockey?
I · Intermediate · The game · 2 of 7Teams may change players as often as they like, through the gate by their bench, the leaving player going off first. Each team has two one-minute timeouts per half. The goalkeeper plays on skates but may kneel, sit or lie to save and must wear a helmet, chest pad, gloves and leg pads.
How it works
- Substitutions: unlimited, during play or at stoppages.
- Order: the player leaves before the replacement enters.
- Never: six or more players on the rink.
- Timeouts: two of one minute in each half; none in extra time.
- Goalkeeper: may kneel, sit or lie to stop a shot, keeping the stick.
- Goalkeeper kit: helmet or mask, chest pad, two gloves, two leg pads.
- Injured player: helped on the rink, then replaced.
- No substitute keeper: a rink player has 3 minutes to put on the kit.
The glossary has the substitutions (rink hockey), the timeout (rink hockey), the goalkeeper (rink hockey), the goalkeeper equipment (rink hockey), the minimum number of players and the blue card.
Tricky cases
A substitute comes on before the other player leaves. What happens?
It is an irregular substitution: a blue card and a period short-handed.
Can a goalkeeper be replaced by a rink player?
Yes, at any time.
A team is late back after a timeout. Penalty?
The coach gets a yellow card.
Can the goalkeeper go to the bench to clean their helmet?
Only with the referees' permission, unless it is a timeout or a player is being helped.
Why the rule exists
Free substitutions keep players fresh in a very fast game. Strict goalkeeper kit protects them from hard, low shots.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Normal time | Two timeouts a half | Art 9.1 |
| Extra time | No timeouts | Art 9.3 |
| Irregular substitution | Blue card | Art 18j; CL 1 |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027, Rules of the Game, Articles 8, 9, 12 and 14 with Technical Regulations, Article 9. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027.